| DO I NEED A VISA TO ENTER THAILAND? | ||||
| TOURIST
A
visa is not required for travellers to Thailand who arrive and depart from
Thailand within a twenty nine day period. NON-IMMIGRANT bUSINESS
VISA 'B' CATEGORY MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LETTER FROM THE COMPANY
EXPRESSING THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT OF THEIR EMPLOYEE AND GUARANTEE THEIR
REPATRIATION BACK TO THE UK AT THE TERMINATION OF THEIR PERIOD IN
THAILAND. |
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| WHAT ARE THE CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES? | ||||
|
PLEASE
ENSURE THAT IF YOU ARE CARRYING PACKAGES FOR OTHER PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT
PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED, AS YOU ARE THE ACCOUNTABLE PERSON. ARRIVING
PASSENGERS WILL
RECEIVE BEFOREHAND A “PASSENGER DECLARATION” FORM (No. 211) WHICH MUST
BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED TO THE CUSTOMS OFFICIALS WHEN PASSING THROUGH
THE RED CHANNEL (SOMETHING TO DECLARE) OR GREEN CHANNEL (NOTHING TO
DECLARE). DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
– UP TO BAHT 10,000
PROVIDED
ITEMS FOR OWN USE – QUANTITY REASONABLE AND ITEMS NOT SUBJECT TO
PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION. MOTOR VEHICLES/MOTOR SPARES DO NOT QUALIFY AS PERSONAL EFFECTS. CIGARETTES/CIGARS/SMOKING
TOBACCO AND SPIRITS
MAXIMUM 200 CIGARETTES OR 25GRAMS
OF CIGARS OR SMOKING TOBACCO SPIRITS 1 LITRE ACCOMPANIED
LUGGAGE DEPOSITORY IF YOU ARE IN TRANSIT AND DO NOT WANT TO CLEAR ACCOMPANIED LUGGAGE THROUGH CUSTOMS, PROVIDED THE CONTENTS ARE NOT PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED OR SUSPECT OF A CUSTOMS OFFENCE YOU CAN ARRANGE FOR THEM TO BE LEFT IN CUSTOM’S BOND FOR UP TO 2 MONTHS ON PAYMENT OF FEES CALCULATED ON A DAILY BASIS. CUSTOMS OFFICIALS WILL ISSUE A DEPOSIT FORM (No 466). DUTY PAYMENT IF
RE-ENTERING THAILAND WITH GOODS EXCEEDING BAHT 10,000 IN VALUE, THESE ARE
SUBJECT TO IMPORT TAXES/DUTY. A
FLAT RATE OF DUTY WILL APPLY ON DUTIABLE ITEMS, PROVIDED: THEY
ARE INTENDED FOR PERSONAL USE; OF A REASONABLE QUANTITY AND NOT INTENDED
FOR COMMERCIAL, BUSINESS OR TRADE PURPOSES TOTAL
VALUE DOES NOT EXCEED BAHT 80,000 PASSENGERS
MUST BE ABLE TO PAY ANY TAXES/DUTIES IN CASH ON DATE OF ARRIVAL.
FAILING THIS, GOODS WILL BE SENT TO A WAREHOUSE TO AWAIT FORMAL
ENTRY/CLEARANCE, WHEN THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BE RELEASED. THE
FOREGOING INFORMATION HAS BEEN GIVEN ONLY AS A GUIDE. HOWEVER,
THE THAI CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS A WEB SITE, WHICH SUPPLIES MORE
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION.
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| CAN I IMPORT A VEHICLE IN TO THE COUNTRY? | ||||
REGULATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES INTO THAILAND NEW VEHICLES All brand new vehicles
can be freely imported into Thailand provided that the vehicles are
shipped within 60 days from the date of first registration.
An import licence is not required. USED VEHICLES All used vehicles require an import licence prior to shipping. To be eligible, the application must comply with the following conditions: Thai nationals who have been living abroad for at least 2 years are entitled to import vehicles (one car per person) regardless of the engine capacities, provided that they are changing domicile to Thailand and they have owned the vehicle for the previous 18 months. This condition also applies to foreigners who have been granted permits or permanent residency in Thailand. Applications
for import licences should be made to the Department of Foreign Trade,
Ministry of Commerce,Bangkok. TEMPORARY IMPORT OF
VEHICLE FOR PURPOSE OF TOURISM Valid International Driving Licence and passport or equivalent documents are required. Vehicle registration or, in the case of a borrowed vehicle, authorisation documents from the owner are required. Cash guarantee or bank guarantee or self-guarantee is required. If the vehicle is brought in through Bangkok or Klong Toey Port, cash guarantee or bank guarantee is essential. If entry is via land across the southern border then it is acceptable to guarantee oneself by completing the customs form, giving necessary details to the customs officer and signing the record. Permission is granted for a 6 month period from the date of entry. In the case of having requested to bring the vehicle in for a period of just 5 – 10 days and then wishing to extend the length of stay, a renewal can be granted free of charge by the Customs Department. Procedure: Contact
the customs office at the relevant border Customs
officer will complete an additional incoming form and at the same time
check the documents as in No. 2 above and also fix the
self-guarantee. IMPORT DUTIES Vehicles above 2400cc are liable to import tax of 210.53% on CIF value. Vehicles of 2400cc and below are liable to import tax of 137.23% CIF (The above duty rates are
inclusive of VAT and excise taxes) CIF :
Taxes are calculated from the cost (ex factory price) of the
vehicle, when it was made, plus Insurance and Freight, less 5-70%
depreciation (used vehicles only). Useful
Address: THAI CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT: SUTHORNKOSA ROAD, KHLONG TOEY BANGKOK 10110 TEL: (662) 249 0431-40 FAX: 249 2874 |
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| IS DRIVING EASY & WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE ROAD? | ||||
As precautionary measures to prevent and avoid road accidents, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) urges all road users to strictly observe the following traffic regulations and guidelines. 1.
Before
putting a vehicle into motion always check the following: driver’s
license, yearly vehicle tax payments sticker, yearly vehicle insurance
payment sticker, license plate and vehicle condition such as wheel brake,
emergency brake, headlights, tail lights etc. -
The maximum speed limit for cars inside a city limit is 60km/hr and
80km/hr for outside a city limit. -
The maximum speed limit for motorcycles inside a city limit is
60km/hr and 80km/hr for outside a city limit. -
The driver should pay special attention to highway signs posted on
the left-hand side of the road for specified speed limits. 2.
Always drive on the left side of the road.
When there are two or more lanes for traffic in the same direction,
slower vehicles must use the leftmost lane except when passing or making a
right turn. 3.
Always slow down to a safe and reasonable speed when driving on a narrow
road or when approaching curves, intersections, business or residential
areas, road construction zone and oncoming vehicles. 4.
Never pass any vehicle when driving through residential areas,
intersections, curves, or over a bridge.
Always pass other vehicles on the right. Never
pass other vehicles on the left except when the leading vehicle is making
a right turn or when there are two or more lanes for traffic in the same
direction. 5.
When driving at night, always turn on headlights and tail lights. 6.
Broken down or parked vehicles must be parked on the side of the road or
the shoulder of the road. A
warning sign that can be seen over an appropriate distance must be
displayed. At night-time
emergency red lights must be used to provide warning. 7.Give
the right of way signal to vehicles coming from main roads. 8.
Strictly obey traffic lights and posted traffic signs. 9.
Never control a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or intoxicating
liquor; or while being sick or dizzy. 10.
Always take safety precautions while in control of a vehicle. 11.
Always allow a safe distance while following a vehicle. 12.
Slow down to a reasonable speed and do not sound the horn if it is not
necessary while passing through the following zones: school, hospital or
public agency. 13.
Always give a headlight signal or sound the horn and make sure there are
no obstructions or oncoming vehicles before passing the leading vehicle. 14.
When a driver is involved in an accident that causes injuries or property
damages, always provide assistance wherever necessary. Immediately notify
the nearest police station and identify yourself as well. The driver who fails to stop at the scene of the accident for
which he is responsible would be considered guilty and might be sentenced
to imprisonment. 15.
Sound the horn and slow down the vehicle when approaching a stopped
vehicle that is letting passengers get on or off and give warning
particularly to deaf and blind persons. 16.
Safety rules for pedestrians -
Always use sidewalks or road shoulders if there are any; if not,
always walk on the right side of the road to be able to see oncoming
vehicles. -
Always cross the road only when it is absolutely safe to do so,
especially in Bangkok. Please
watch out for bus lanes as buses sometimes run against the traffic
flow. -
When crossing the road at night-time always do so at a lighted area
or use a flashlight for identification purposes. -
Always obey traffic lights, i.e. cross the road only when the red
traffic light is on for the approaching vehicles, and make sure that the
vehicles have come to a complete stop. 17.
Safety rules for bus passengers -
Always wait for a bus or a vehicle on the sidewalk, the road
shoulder, or at bus stops. -
Before getting on a bus or a vehicle, wait until it has stopped
completely and other passengers who want to get off have done so. -
Always take a seat when it is available; if not stay inside the bus
or the vehicle. Do not stand
on the doorsteps. -
Never get on or get off the bus or the vehicle while it is moving,
waiting for traffic lights or while it is in the middle of the road. - For private or public vehicles, the passengers should always get on or get off the vehicles where it is not prohibited. Always stop the vehicles at the sidewalks and get on or get off on the left side of the vehicle. |
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